Spring/Summer 1997 Former rector presides as 23 are ordained to diaconate
Posing with the recently consecrated deacons are, center/left to right, His Eminence William Wakefield Cardinal Baum; His Excellency Auxiliary Bishop Edwin O'Brien and His Eminence Edmund Cardinal Szoka.
Twenty-three men from the North American College were ordained to the ministry of deacon on October 3, 1996. They were: Richard Au, Archdiocese of Vancouver Scott J. Buchanan, Diocese of Charleston Stephen M. Cook, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph Thomas E. Cook, Diocese of Winona Robert W. Dillon, Archdiocese of New York Antonio G. Dittmer, Diocese of Peoria Jason A. Gray, Diocese of Peoria James H. Hauver, Diocese of Duluth Peter M. Idler, Diocese of Camden Daniel J. Jones, Archdiocese of Detroit
Mark D. Knestout, Archdiocese of Washington Kenneth J. Malley, Diocese of St. Petersburg Daniel J. Maurer, Diocese of Pittsburgh Dougald J. McCallum, Diocese of Helena Timothy P. McKeown, Diocese of Savannah Thomas W. Powers, Jr., Diocese of Bridgeport Wayne V. Sattler, Diocese of Bismarck K. Bartholomew Smith, Archdiocese of Washington James V. Teti, Archdiocese of Newark David L. Toups, Diocese of St. Petersburg Joseph L. Villa, Archdiocese of Indianapolis James W. Williams, Diocese of Colorado Springs W. Ray Williams, Diocese of Charlotte Diaconate ordination is long in preparation with years of formation, untold hours of prayer and study and more than a year of planning.
His Excellency The Most Rev. Edwin O'Brien Auxiliary Bishop of New York, ordains K. Bartholomew Smith, Archdiocese of Washington as assistant master of ceremonies Joel Hastings of the Diocese of Duluth is in the background.
Among the 1,100 people who attended the special mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica were cardinals, counts and countesses, diplomats, family and friends from all over the world. His Excellency The Most Rev. Edwin F. O'Brien, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York and Rector of St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, ordained the 23 men, all of whom remember him as the previous rector of the North American College ('90-'94). More than 250 priests concelebrated the Mass.
Bishop O'Brien greets Daniel Jones, Archdiocese of Detroit, and Kenneth Malley, Diocese of St. Petersburg.
Bishop O'Brien captured the essence of the call to diaconate in his homily when he reminded the 23 men of how they are those Christ spoke of when he said to the Father, "Sanctify those whom I have chosen." The bishop also reminded them that they would soon be configured to Christ...and that for the next eight months they would be called upon to serve the earthly needs of the Church.
James Williams of the Diocese of Colorado Springs distributes communion during the service.
Therefore, Bishop O'Brien said, the new deacons must be in tune with Jesus' prayer to his Father and to the diaconal character they were receiving.
Thomas Cook of the Diocese of Winona receives the Book of Gospels from His Ecxellency Auxiliary Bishop Edwin O'Brien assisted by master of ceremonies Stephen Schreiber of the Diocese of Erie and acolyte Hoa Trung Tran of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Bishop O'Brien challenged the deacons to be the "custodians of the memory of the Church," faithful to the Gospel and to the Divine Office which they will pray for themselves and for the people of God. Bishop O'Brien exhorted the men to be true to their calling in Christ so that their loved ones and friends may be the first to be touched by the Good Shepherd radiating from within them.
Leading the procession to the Altar of the Chair were thurifer Paul Broussard, Diocese of Lafayette; cross bearer Kent Drotar, Archdiocese of Denver; candle bearers Patrick Campion, Archdiocese of Washington, and Rudolfo Garcia, Diocese of Dallas; and acolytes, Richard Wilson, Diocese of Fall River and Brian Hersey, Archdiocese of Seattle.
With this encouragement, the peal of bells, the thunder of applause, and the prayers of Mary their mother, Bishop O'Brien sent the new men forth to begin their new life of service as imitators of Christ the Deacon. It was a joyful scene to see these young men commit their lives to be faithful to Christ--and we all look forward with great hope to their priestly ordinations later this year. Mr. Mark Vander Steeg, '99 Diocese of Green Bay Last Updated on 29/05/97
Rector's Corner My duties as rector of the Pontifical North American College include supervision not only of our seminary on the Janiculum Hill where 145 future priests are formed, but two other excellent programs which have, been of priceless service to the Church's priests. Let me tell you about these other two facets of the College's life. The Casa Santa Maria, on the enchanting Via dell'Umilta, only a chip shot away from the Trevi Fountain in the historic center of Rome, now houses 73 priests from the United States - with a few from other countries - who have been assigned by their bishops or religious superiors to do graduate work in theology at one of the Eternal City's pontifical universities. These young priests reside in a venerable structure which is nearing 500 years old...where the North American College actually began in 1859. Its chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Humility, is one of the artistic masterpieces of the Eternal City. Most of the priests who leave our Casa Santa Maria will return home for positions of leadership in the church, especially in chanceries, marriage tribunals, universities, seminaries and diocesan ministries. The Casa is renowned for its atmosphere of prayer, scholarship, and priestly fraternity, and has been guided for a decade by Msgr. Charles W. Elmer. The second program of service to priests offered by the North American College is our Institute for Continuing Theological Education. Forty priests come to one of two three-month sessions offered each year. Most of these men have been pastors who have served zealously and selflessly on the front lines of the Church for decades and who have certainly earned ninety days of study, prayer, discovery of Christian Rome and rich priestly camaraderie. They live in a separate section of the seminary structure on the Janiculum Hill overlooking the Vatican, but benefit from interaction with our seminarians who could one day be their assistants! So, you see, your support of the North American College is a boost to all of our programs here designed to form future priests. Throughout the Catholic Church in the United States there are over 2,000 priests who have been at the College as seminarians, graduate priests, or pastors on sabbatical. They join me in this "Rector's Corner"...thanking our benefactors. Last Updated on 03/06/97
Diaconate ordination took 13 months of planning, organizing and 'headaches' The sun shone brightly and puffy clouds hovered in the air. The North American College's bells pealed loudly as 23 men dressed in albs, colored cinctures and the College's Pope Pius XII gold embroidered dalmatics entered the cortile (courtyard).
His Eminence William Wakefield Cardinal Baum, Apostolic Penitentiary and Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, with newly ordained deacon Mark Knestout and his parents, Deacon Thomas Knestout (ordained by Cardinal Baum in 1975 and Caroline Knestout.
Two hours earlier we approached the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica as laymen. Now we were deacons...ordained by our former rector, His Excellency The Most Rev. Edwin F. O'Brien, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York. The ordination ceremony represented the culmination of months of planning and preparation and the beginning of a new life of service to Jesus Christ and His Church. Smiles, laughter and great joy were present everywhere here at the North American College on this beautiful Thursday morning, October 3, 1996. The crowd burst into applause as we entered the cortile. I was thoroughly exhausted from the week's activities leading up to the ordination ceremony, parched beyond words...and couldn't locate a family member or personal guest anywhere. As I looked for my family among the many guests already present, my mind raced from one thought to another. Water! Where's my family! Hello! And, whose friend are you again? Water! Are there enough drinks for everyone? When will the workers set out food? Water! Details. Details. Details. I couldn't stop thinking about those details...because there I was, chairman of the class diaconate planning committee. It was my responsibility to make sure this day came off with as little difficulty as possible. The planning for the ordination began more than thirteen months earlier when I was elected by my classmates to lead them through the myriad of preparatory tasks culminating in the ordination day. Thirteen months ago my first thoughts were not about details because I had plenty of time to plan the big event. Wrong! No sooner was the diaconate class of 1995 ordained than our rector, Msgr. Timothy Dolan, sat me down in his office for an informal planning and review session about "do's" and "don'ts"...and his expectations for our class. The ball was rolling. There were committees to form, liturgies to plan, hotels to select, travel agents to hire, restaurant menus to consider, invitations to print, class holy hours and retreats, prayer sessions to schedule, money to collect and gifts to buy. The check list went on and on and on. Our class planning effort fell into five main areas. Our class treasurer and secretary was Rev. Mr. Thomas Cook of the Diocese of Winona, Minnesota, who kept the books balanced and paid our bills on time. The spirituality committee, charged with setting a prayerful and spiritual tone, was under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Wayne Sattler of the Diocese of Bismarck. The spirituality committee drafted an ordination prayer by which we focused our prayers during the year of preparation, and also organized two holy hours, class Masses, a nine-month class novena and a weekend retreat near Lake Nemi.
Rev. Mr. Joseph Villa of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis headed the hospitality commit tee. That committee's work ranged from picking the menus and restaurants for our reception and ordination banquet to choosing the invitation design and welcoming guests and preparing rooms for the 40+ guests staying at College during ordination week. Rev. Mr. Daniel Maurer of the Diocese of Pittsburgh was given the difficult task of organizing the liturgies of the week, which included opening and closing Masses for our guests, a special NAC prayer vigil the night before the ordination and the ordination ceremony itself. He and his committee chose the music, Mass parts, main celebrants and servers while at the same time considering the varying tastes and preferences of a diverse audience. Rev. Mr. James Teti of the Archdiocese of Newark and I took responsibility for the travel committee...which meant communicating regularly with the travel agent, picking airports, airlines, hotels, scheduling tours and shuttle bus schedules...a formidable task considering the number of people, numerous home cities of our guests, and The wide range of guests with international travel experience, tastes and budgets. Once the guests arrived in Rome, a whole new list of duties would take over including tim ing for bus transfers, city tours and banquet ticket sales. On paper, the job looks pretty easy to do. In reality, it took 13 months of planning, organizing and oversight. I returned a week early from summer break to be one step ahead of my classmates. Last-minute details had to be done, including drafting sketches for the Vatican on how we wanted the Basilica set up for the ceremony and making reservations for Scavi tours. Most of all, we had to have numbers, numbers, numbers. Who was actually coming? Where were they staying? On-package or off- package? At the NAC or in a hotel? The College's master of ceremonies needed procedures set down, names of vesting priests, vocation directors, numbers of bishops and cardinals attending, numbers of priests concelebrating. How many from the Casa Santa Maria? Villa Stritch? Institute for Continuing Theological Education? The Vatican? A difficult task considering much of this information changed three or four times a day...and even on the day of the ceremony. Overall, the week went very well. The anxiety and "headaches" brought on by the planning process and the few problems we encountered as it took place have all faded away. The hard work and late hours were worth every effort. For our families, who had only heard or read about Rome from us in our letters and phone calls home, it was an opportunity to be with us and see where we lived, prayed and walked in the streets of Rome. For my part, the detail work is over and I have settled into my old routine. My memories are of a happy family of brothers and sisters and two proud parents spending a week in Rome with me. It was a great week. I think back to one of my greatest memories of the whole week. As I processed into St. Peter's Basilica and took my seat in the sanctuary for the ordination ceremony, I could see my father's eyes gleaming with tears of joy. He (the "first deacon" in our family) sat directly behind me during the entire ceremony, vested me and gave me the sign of peace--- deacon to deacon...and father to son. Rev. Mr. Mark Knestout, '97 Archdiocese of Washington Last Updated on 29/05/97
Msgr. Roger Roensch new director of Bishops' Office for U.S. visitors to Vatican
Bishops' Office for U.S. visitors to Vatican Msgr.Roger C. Roensch has been named director of the Bishop's L Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican...for the second time. The visitors office annually serves 50,000 American Pilgrims seeking tickets to Papal events or an audience with the Holy Father. Msgr. Roensch replaces Msgr. Charles Elmer, P.A., who has directed the visitors office for the past nine years while also heading up the College's graduate house of studies, the Casa Santa Maria. Msgr. Elmer will continue his duties as superior at the Casa, where the visitors office has been located since 1950. No stranger to Rome, Msgr. Roensch was a seminarian at the College from 1954-58, when his class was the first to move into NAC's new facilities on the Janiculum. "When I left Rome at that time, I didn't think I'd ever be back," he remembers. However, in 1970, Msgr. Roensch, at the request of then-rector James Cardinal Hickey, was called back to Rome...to head the visitors office. He subsequently served the C ollege in student recruitment and development activities in both Rome and the U.S. For the past 15 years Msgr. Roensch has been director of pilgrimages for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. With the millennium approaching, Msgr. Roensch is expecting a busy schedule. In addition to directing the U.S. visitors program, he will represent the American bishops on the committee for the Grand Jubilee of 2000, the official Vatican office charged with planning and coordinating activities for the millennium. Among those activities being planned by Msgr. Roensch are English language "tours of faith." Masses at the Roman basilicas and occasions for the Sacrament of Penance. "To help make every tour a pilgrimage and "spiritually rewarding" is the way Msgr. Roensch describes his goal for the visitors office. He promises that pilgrims who knock on his door will get a "warm welcome" along with advice and counsel about the city he has known and loved for many years. "I have only one request," he said. "Please don't all come to Rome at the same time." Rev. Mr. Stephen Nash, '96 Archdiocese of Washington Last Updated on 29/05/97
College celebrates 137th anniversary The North American College joyfully celebrated its patronal feast day, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, on December 8, 1997... 137 years after the College was founded.
Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by alumni and dedicated supporters of the College, including His Excellency Archbishop John Foley, in the presence of their Eminences William Cardinal Baum and Edmund Cardinal Szoka. In his homily, Rector Msgr. Timothy Dolan explained the message of hope contained in the Immaculate Conception. In preserving Mary from original sin, he said, God has reminded us of the condition originally intended for humanity. Msgr. Dolan gave exhortation not to follow the world, but "our faith," which teaches us that to be without sin is to be more fully human. The banquet which followed featured three toasts traditionally delivered at the College. The first toast, to the Holy Father on the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, was given by Sister Grazyna Kwiecien, the Mother Superior of the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate, who serve the community of the Casa Maria. The second, in honor of the United States of America, was presented by George Weigel of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, DC. And the third, to the North American College, was given by Fr. Peter Wells, an alumnus of the College and currently a student at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. Mr. Brandon Jones, '99 Diocese of Charlotte Last Updated on 29/05/97
Letter from the Editor
A good reason for forming American priests in Rome When I tell people that I am a seminarian in Rome, it invariably evokes a wide range of responses. Some are interested and enthusiastic. They tell me about how great it must be to be so close to the Holy Father and St. Peter's and how blessed I am to be able to walk the same streets as so many saints. Then there are others who are frankly suspicious. They associate Rome with aspects of the Church they oppose or dislike and believe that priests formed there are somehow out of touch with conditions back home. Whatever might be the validity of either of these reactions, I believe there is a uniquely good reason for forming American priests in Rome for the New Evangelization. Rome is the nexus of historical and global relationships that both conserve our identity as Catholics and direct our way to the future of the Church. In Rome the entire Church in her breadth of geographic expression and the depth of her historical passage is found in microcosm. No other place in the world can claim such an extraordinary conjunction of time and space. This constellation of peoples, events and circumstances has already had a profound affect on my priestly formation because it has time and again confronted me with the reality that the Church is too big to be defined by personal opinion or popular trends. She stands in human history as the mysterious prolongation of the mission of Jesus, which penetrates the human heart and transforms societies. Rome attests to this fact in its very existence The entire city is a datum of the dialogue opened up by God in Jesus with man two thousand years ago.
Like the Israelites, the Romans over the centuries have had their share of cantankerous conversations with God. When Peter and Paul arrived to meet with the fledging Christian community among what has become the oldest continuously inhabited Jewish community in Europe, they began the long and arduous task of bringing the Gospel to the heart of the pagan world. They died for the salvation of others as Jesus had; and the Roman martyrs, many of whom we are remembering during these days of Lent at the various Station Churches, in turn followed them. Despite maltreatment ranging from overt persecution to callous indifference, the Roman Church grew, witnessed by among others the artifacts of the catacombs and Peter's mortuary. Then, in a burst of lightning, Constantine changed the world by legalizing - then establishing - the Church. Like Israel's experience with the monarchy, the Church would have to dance a long and often perilous tango with this empire and those that followed it. Subsequently, Rome's fate waxed and waned with those of the popes, the frail men chosen by God's mysterious design to succeed Peter. When Europe was ready to rediscover antiquity, it was the popes and their retinue who led the way. Humanism flourished for a brief moment before the storms of the Reformation came. Philip Neri reevangelized the exhausted city, hung over as it were from the excesses of the Renaissance, and Rome was again filled with saints too numerous to mention here. At this time Ignatius of Loyola founded my University, the Gregorian, and the first national colleges, to which the North American College would be added three centuries later. In the years to follow, the popes faced a long train of challenges to the faith, which, while promising the demise of the Church, somehow failed to realize their brag: God's promise to Peter held. In our own time, the popes led the way to Church's opening to the world i order to reconnect Jesus' Gospel to everyday life. It has not come without significant costs and it cannot be denied that many of the fruits have been bitter. Yet the history of Rome itself demonstrates God's fidelity to his Church, the promise he made to a Galilean fish erman who became the first pope. The Second Vatican Council remains too recent to comprehend fully. It is like trying to imagine what a plane looks like when you're inside looking out of a window. We are too much a part of the fabric of the the Council to appreciate justly all that has come and gone. But here again in Rome, I get glimpses of it, a view different from the one I would have had if I had not come to Rome. The North American College brings men from approximately 40 states (and Canada) under the same roof. We come to Rome from different cultural, regional and social backgrounds following Jesus' call to the priesthood. Our experiences of the Church back home are often diverse and on account of that fact, there can be friction and conflict, two conditions which seem to have accompanied the Church's pilgrimage through history from the very beginning. Likewise do we encounter - this time on a global scale - the pluriformity of the Church in our classes at the various Roman universities, in our friendships that span the earth and in the sacred liturgies we celebrate. In each of these circumstances, I have been challenged to embrace a vision of the Church that, while bound together by Catholic doctrine and worship, is far grander and complex than had imagined. Why send a seminarian to Rome? I believe it is the best place to prepare a man for priestly ministry in contemporary America because it offers him a breadth and depth of experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. He will never be able to look at the Church the same way again because She cannot be forced to conform to anyone's prejudices. Rather Rome encourages him to embrace the Church in her paradox and mystery, trusting in God's wise design rather than the passing fancy of men. Matthew Carr, '99 Diocese of Arlington Last Updated on 29/05/97
Kitchen renovated with generous donations from alumni, friends
Sig. Pasqualenti at work in the College's new kitchen facilities.
When North American College was constructed in 1953, the kitchen was designed as a large open space with state-of-the-art equipment. As more than 40 years passed without significant alteration to the configuration or equipment of the kitchen, a total renovation of the space was needed to respond to increasing demands on its personnel and capabilities. The project was recently completed and more than 200 meals are served three times daily in the new facility. A new exhaust system, new gas and electric supply equipment and a new layout for the most utilized appliances make the kitchen area more employee-friendly and efficient. From one large open space, six smaller sections have been created with a corridor enabling access and egress. The central cooking area containing the ovens, pasta cooker, fryers, grills and burners is hooded. There are separate salad and meat preparation areas, new refrigerators, a new pot and utensil cleaning area, a new kitchen personnel dining space and two newly created storage areas which provide ready access to the foodstuffs needed for the preparation of meals. Total cost of the project was $252,000. The completion of this renovation was made possible by the generous support of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, NAC's faithful alumni and the abiding patronage of many benefactors of the College. Last Updated on 29/05/97
Construction programs build new exercise and computer areas; renovate theater/auditorium
It is not an uncommon sight to see workers from various specialized companies walking throughout the College as major construction projects are in the process of completion. As a result of the generosity of the Bishop and of the men and women of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida, the College has completed construction of new exercise and computer rooms for the use of the seminarians. The former weight room was chosen as the logical site for the creation of a new computer room sponsored by the same benefactors. The new computer room will contain new AT&T Pentium multi-media computers loaded with Windows 95, Corel WordPerfect and MS Word programs. In addition, the group purchased HP laser printers for the College...providing the seminarians with state-of-the-art technology for their studies. At the same time, work has begun on renovations of the College's theater/auditorium. The wooden seats have been removed in preparation for the workers who will construct scaffolding within the entire interior space in order to paint the walls, replace the wiring and lights as well as update the heating and air-conditioning ducts. New stage curtains will be installed and a new sound system will be placed in the auditorium. Finally, new cushioned seats will replace the old wooden seats. Work also will begin in the near future on the suite to be built on the fifth floor hospital wing terrazza. A large crane will be use to lift building materials to the fifth floor in order to construct a roof which will span the length of the fifth floor...creating an enclosed space which can be used for future expansion. The suite will be dedicated to the memory of His Eminence John Cardinal Wright. If all proceeds well, the North American College will be graced with totally renovated and created spaces for the use of the seminary community. Last Updated on 29/05/97
Mass celebrated for those in TWA flight
Rev. Miles Walsh new director for pastoral formation
Rev. Joseph Henchey joins College faculty as spiritual advisor
New bishops join NAC board of governors
Mass celebrated for those in TWA flight On the Feast of All Souls, a memorial Mass was celebrated for those who lost their lives on the crash of TWA flight 800. The chapel of the Immaculate Conception at North American College was filled with TWA employees, relatives of the victims, American diplomats, as well as many priests and seminarians from the College.
His Eminence Edmund Cardinal Szoka, President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, was the main celebrant. Msgr. Timothy Dolan, rector (Archdiocese of St. Louis, '76) offered the welcoming remarks. In his homily, Cardinal Szoka discussed the importance of praying for the dead and the role of a memorial Mass in that regard. He called the June 17 crash, in which 230 people died, a "heartwrenching tragedy...a sobering reminder of the evil and imperfection in the world." Our answer in the face of such tragedy must be the answer of faith, Cardinal Szoka concluded, saying, "We must look to the perfection that is to come." Mr. Ryan P. Lewis, '99 Archdiocese of Omaha
Rev. Miles Walsh new director for pastoral formation R ev. Miles D. Walsh of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is the College's new director of pastoral formation and apostolic works as well as faculty advisor for 35 men. His early impression of North American College: "The tremendous idealism here is very inspiring to me. I can't help but admire the spirit fostered here." This is Fr. Walsh's third trip to NAC. After completing his STB at Louvain (1976-79), he came to the College and received a license in dogmatic theology from the Gregorian University (1981). He then returned to the College in 1993 to attend the Institute for Continuing Theological Education. The new assignment seems tailor-made for Fr. Walsh. When Msgr. Dolan phoned him to offer the position, he told Fr. Walsh he was looking for a "pastor." Fr. Walsh is quite familiar with parish work...having worked as assistant pastor in parishes, as pastor and superintendent of a K-12 parish school system and, most recently, as the shepherd of a 2,200 family parish. Mr. Richard McDonald, '99 Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Rev. Joseph Henchey joins College faculty as spiritual advisor The College's new assistant spiritual director. Father Joseph Henchey, C.S.S. (Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata, Waltam, Massachusetts) - is no stranger to Rome or to the College. Half of Fr. Henchey's 50 years in the Stigmatine order have been spent in Rome and his contact with the College dates back to 1954, when he (then a seminarian) came to the NAC to participate in a football game between his brother Stigmatines and the students of the College. Since that time, Fr. Henchey has remained a familiar face to NACers. He taught numerous alumni of the College from 1973 -90 while a professor of spirituality and dogma at the Angelicum University. "This is one of the nicest jobs I've had in my life," he says citing the joy of working with young men enthusiastic about the priesthood as the main benefit of his new position. Mr. Phil Tiemeyer, '99
Archdiocese of St. Louis
New bishops join NAC board of governors Three bishops have been elected to the board of governors of the Pontifical North American College. Each represents an ecclesial region of the Catholic Church in America. The newly elected bishops and the persons they replaced on NAC's board of governors are: Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan, '65, C '71, of Santa Fe, representing Region XIII. He replaces Archbishop J. Francis Stafford, '58, now in Rome as President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
Bishop Tod D. Brown, '62, of Boise, representing Region XII. He replaces Bishop Anthony M. Milone, '58, Bishop of Great Falls-Billings.
Bishop Joseph A. Galante, C '68, of Beaumont, representing Region X. He replaces Bishop Joseph P. Delaney, '61, Bishop of Fort Worth.
Last Updated on 02/06/97
Community celebrates 25 years of Sister Servants at College
Cardinal Edmund Szoka expressing gratitude to the Sister Servants for their 25 years of service to the seminary.
Festivities opening the 1996 academic year at the Casa Santa Maria signaled a quarter century of service of the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate from Mariowka, Poland. Msgr. Charles Elmer welcomed the former NAC rector, James Cardinal Hickey, who originally invited the Sister Servants to "Mary's house" and, on October 17, had the honor to welcome its pioneer "Madre," Sister Genowefa Kadziela.
The homily, given by former Casa director Msgr. Richard Mahowald, '56, C '67, recalled the exemplary dedication of the Sister Servants and his inspiring visit to their Motherhouse in Poland. At the end of Mass, Cardinal Hickey named the Sister Servants, "the heart of the Casa," a newly acquired title that aptly captured the spirit of this jubilee. Edmund Cardinal Szoka joined the festivities to offer the invocation in English and Polish. On behalf of the Sister Servants delegation, the Assistant Vicar General, Sr. Janina Grzybak, expressed words of gratitude for the generous invitation to the celebration and the warm welcome. Before Archbishop John Foley's closing benediction, the Sisters present for the occasion sang a hymn to the Mother of God, expressing in melodious harmony the true source of their fruitful ministry as consecrated women in the church. The simple, crystalline words of the refrain appropriately reflect this silver jubilee of service as the "heart of Mary's American Casa" on Via Dell'Umilta: "The World today needs goodness, which overcomes evil and discord. It needs God, whom we want to carry as Mary did." Rev. Czeslaw Kryas, C '98 Diocese of Buffalo Last Updated on 02/06/97
Second semester a busy one
American bishops visit College, priests arrive for Sabbatical in Rome The second semester of the 1996-1997 school year is as full and eventful as the first. First and second year seminarians were installed respectively as rectors and acolytes on March 9. Fourth year deacons look forward to summer ordination to the priesthood, while third year seminarians are already planning for their ordination to the diaconate on October 2, 1997. Seminarians of the first, second, third and fourth years take part in an evaluation process. After beginning the semester with a month of exams, the College welcomed 47 priests participating in our Sabbatical in Rome activities through NAC's Institute for Continuing Theological Education. Lenten season provided a significant number of community-oriented events for the seminarians. including a day of recollection and the station church pilgrimages. A team of American bishops responsible for conducting at the College the seminary visitation process called for by "The Program of Priestly Formation," visited the College in mid-March and on March 16, 1997, Apostolic Appreciation Sunday, the College extended hospitality at Mass and pranzo to representatives from the numerous apostolates in which the seminarians are involved. On the feast of St. Joseph, the College joined the Hermanas Josefinas in the celebration of their patronal feast. The Rector's Dinner is scheduled for April 10, and on April 17, Fr. Raymond Brown, S. S., will deliver a
lecture at the College. May holds a number of events: the Charity Concert on May 3. the Farewell Banquet on May 24 and STUAC Beach Day on May 25. In addition to these events. of course there is the regular seminary schedule of daily liturgy, classes, and study which comprise the typical school year. Rev. William Ogrodowski '75, C '82 Vice Rector, Diocese of Pittsburgh Last Updated on 02/06/97
'Old Men' hold off newcomers to win 41st annual Spaghetti Bowl
New Man John Sistare, Diocese of Providence... in action.
In what will go down as one of the I great "Spaghetti Bowls" in the 41-year history of the annual flag football extravaganza, the New Men, trailing 30-27, drove for what would have been the winning touchdown with under four minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Moments later, with fourth-and-nine on the Old Men 30 yard line, NM quarterback Jim Farnan (Diocese of Pittsburgh) lofted the ball in the direction of one of his star receivers, Grattan Brown (Memphis)...but unofficial game MVP Steve Schreiber (Erie) intercepted his third pass of the game to kill any hopes for the new kids on the block. QB Tom Powers (Bridgeport) was able to run out the clock. The NM opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when speedster Bill Hambleton (Salt Lake City) caught his own deflection of a Farnan pass and out ran three OM defensive backs 60 yards for the touchdown. Farnan hit Brown for the PAT. QB Powers, gunning for his fourth consecutive Spaghetti Bowl victory, capitalized on a NM mistake--an end zone interception--which he turned into an 80 yard touchdown strike to speedster Danny Merz (Jefferson City). The conversion attempt failed. After Schreiber picked off his second Farnan pass, this time at the OM 7 yard line, Powers hit Erik Pohlmeier (Little Rock) for a 50 yard TD bomb as the half came to a close, giving the OM a 12-7 lead.
Sister Rebecca Abel, NAC's librarian, playing the elusive Lady Victoria during the halftime show at the Spaghetti Bowl.
The Old Men owned the third quarter. Powers hit RB Sam Martin (La Crosse) for a 20 yard score and then threw another TD bomb, this one to former B- 1 bomber pilot Brian Christensen (Rapid City), to give the OM a 24-7 lead. But the New Men had saved their best for the final quarter. After a 38 yard pass to Hambleton to set up first-and-goal from the 2, Farnan called his own number and scored on a two yard run, bringing his team to within 10. The OM increased the lead when Powers scampered for a 45 yard TD (conversion failed). The NM were quick to answer as Farnan hit Brown on a 30 yard TD pass and again for the conversion to bring the NM within nine, 30-21. After Farnan connected with Traynor for a 40 yard TD to close the gap to 30-27, and the New Men stopped the old timers on downs, Schreiber ended hopes for the newcomers with his third interception of the day.
Robert Moses, Diocese of Orlando, breaks away for a nice gain.
There were several stars of the game for each side. Schreiber's three pickoffs, two when the NM were just yards from the en zone, were the difference. But even Schreiber's heroics couldn't outshine Farnan's incredible day. Though he played cornerback most of the day, he amassed 456 total yards...376 yards on 20 for 38 passing and 80 yards rushing (16 carries) with three touchdowns passing, one rushing TD and three extra point conversions. Hi' four interceptions, however, were costly. Farnan's receivers had huge numbers as well, especially Traynor who racked up 1 yards on seven receptions. Tom Powers' numbers weren't as spectacular as Farnan's...except where it counted: 4 TD's and 1 interception. He also passed for 235 yards and ran for another 82. OM running back Sam Martin added 79 yards on 14 carries.
After the game, a number of the Old Men rejoiced that the New Men would be playing with them and not against them next year. After watching a videotape of the game, evening prayer and cena, both groups of men enjoyed the traditional showings of the 1959 interview of Archbishop Martin O'Connor and the movie, Ben Hur. Mr. Roger Landry, '99 Diocese of Fall River Last Updated on 02/06/97
Financial support for the College showed spectacular growth The 1996 Honor Roll of Donors to the l North American College is being prepared by the Development Office and will be ready for distribution shortly after Easter. Support for the College increased 121% in the 1996 calendar year, according to figures compiled in Msgr. Bernard Yarrish's office in Rome and the development office in New Jersey. Overall, 5,819 gifts and contributions for 1996 amounted to $1,738,063.76. That includes several major gifts secured by the administration for capital improvements on the auditorium and other facilities. In 1995, the College received 4,700 gifts and contributions of $784,567.31. "Since the College fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, we will, in the future, publish the Honor Roll for that time period," according to development director Patrick Kennedy. "Thus the next 12-month report will run from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1997. In the meantime, we will publish an abbreviated report covering the six month period between January 1, 1997 and June 30, 1997." As reported earlier, Messrs. Joseph Corso, Sr. and Joseph Corso, Jr. contributed $400,000 toward the renovations of the auditorium. Additionally, with the support of Bishop Robert N. Lynch of St. Petersburg, a group of Catholics in that diocese contributed $265,000 in equipment in November. That drive was spearheaded by Messrs. Gregory Jewell, Leon Toups and Charles Behr. Bishop Lynch pledged $25,000 from the people of St. Petersburg. The Knights of Columbus' annual contribution of interest from the Count Galeazzi Fund was $132,367 and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas annual members' drive totaled $55,000. The 1996 Honor Roll of Donors to the North American College is being prepared by the Development Office and will be distributed soon. Last Updated on 02/06/97
'Manual of Prayers' is off the presses The Pontifical North American College "Manual of Prayers" is off the presses.
Although designed mainly for seminarians, the Manual with its wide variety of prayers_from traditional to modern, litanies to devotional and Mass , preparation prayers to occa- signal prayers - is ideally suited for priests and others desiring to add some richness and variety to their prayer lives. I in cooperation with the Midwest Theological Forum, the Manual of Prayers becomes the first such manual to be published by an American seminary since the Second Vatican Council. Once very common in U.S. seminaries, the use of prayer manuals declined after the Council. The last manual of prayers published by the North American College was in 1959. Preparation of the new Manual began in 1994 at the prompting of the Rector, Msgr. Timothy Dolan. Encouraged by new seminarians who desired to know more of the traditional prayers of the Church, Msgr. Dolan envisioned the Manual to be a prayer companion for North American College seminarians. The project was made a reality due to the work of Rev. James D. Watkins ('88, Archdiocese of Washington) and several NAC seminarians. Msgr. Dolan believes the Manual of Prayers can benefit seminarians and others by exposing them to the "expansive breadth of Catholic prayers and helping them to feel in a greater way a part of the Communion of Saints, since many of the prayers were written by saints or ask for the intercessions of saints. The Manual of Prayers is available for $25.00. There is a discount for alumni of the College If interacted in obtaining a copy, please contact the North American College at the address listed on the back cover of this publication. Mr. Kent Drotar 98 Archdiocese of Denver Last Updated on 02/06/97
The People of St. Petersburg contribute $265. 000+ for NAC programs It began as a casual idea and blossomed into a successful fundraiser---gaining more than $265,000 in pledges for NAC. The idea was first presented to NAC's Rector, Msgr. Timothy Dolan, during a visit to St. Petersburg in 1995. The event---which included dinner at the residence of the Bishop of St. Petersburg--was organized by Greg Jewell, Leon Toups and Charles Behr. Those present for the evening included twelve couples and Most Rev. Robert Lynch, Bishop of St. Petersburg. Those in attendance included Mr. and Mrs. Brian Mooney, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Meyer, Mr. and Mrs. James Malley and Mr. and Mrs. Leon Toups. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Joe White, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Marquardt, Mr. and Mrs. John Kavanagh, Mr. and
Mrs. John Hurley, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Behr, Mr. and Mrs. Michael O'Donnell, Mr. Daniel Doyle, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Greg Jewell. All money contributed at the dinner is being used for the improvement of student activities and academics, including a new student van, a new climatized computer room with ten new computers and five new printers. Also, the student "weight room" will be moved to a new and improved location as it clears the space for the new computer room. The contributions will also be used for new desk chairs and lamps for the individual student rooms. I am proud of my fellow Floridians who have taken such an active interest in our College. In honor of our diocese there will be plaques in the computer room and weight room in thanksgiving for the generous offering of the donors. Msgr. Dolan said he was "greatly encouraged by the spontaneous desire to help in the promotion of priestly formation here at NAC." "They only needed to know how to help." he said. We are all very grateful to Mr. Toups, Mr. Jewell and Mr. Behr for their help---and the excellent addition my fellow Floridians have made to student life here at the North American College. Rev. Mr. Ken Malley, '97 Diocese of St. Petersburg Last Updated on 02/06/97
Br. Randal honored for 25 years of service; presented Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medallion
Br. Randal Riede being honored for his 25 years of service to the College by James Cardinal Hickey, Archbishop of Washington, D.C., left, and Msgr. Timothy Dolan, NAC's rector.
Most of the Pontifical North American College family spends four or five years here, but one member, Br. Randal Riede, CFX, the College librarian, is now celebrating his 25th year of service to the community.
In thanksgiving for Br. Randal's service, a Mass was celebrated in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception on October 20, 1996, followed by a banquet in Brother's honor. His Eminence James Cardinal Hickey, Archbishop of Washington, was the principal celebrant at the thanksgiving Mass, celebrated on "Missionary Sunday." It was concelebrated by His Excellency Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, and more than 160 priests. In his homily, Cardinal Hickey praised Brother Randal as the College's "own missionary...mirroring Jesus and helping prepare future priests." He also thanked Brother for his indispensable work at the College, both in the library and in helping students grow closer to Christ and to themselves. The Rev. Anthony Wolfe (Diocese of La Crosse, '96) was the master of ceremonies for the banquet, which was attended by more than 300 students and associates of Brother, past and present. NAC's Vice Rector Rev. William Ogrodowski, (Diocese of Pittsburgh, '75), toasted Brother on behalf of the past students, praising him as a "model and helper in priestly formation." On behalf of current students, Rev. Mr. Paul Check (Diocese of Bridgeport, '97), thanked Brother for his example of living the evangelical counsels. Cardinal Hickey presented Brother Randal with a decoration from the Holy Father, the prestigious Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross for extraordinary service to the universal Church. With a tear in his eye and his customary eloquence, Br. Randal offered thanks to all for the many things the College has done for him and quoted Cole Porter, "thanks for the memories." His Eminence Edmund Cardinal Szoka, president for the Vatican's Prefecture for Economic Affairs, closed the festivities with a prayer of thanksgiving. To Brother Randal for his 25 years of service to the faculty and students at the Pontifical North American College...ad multos annos. Mr. Joseph Betschart, '99 Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon Last Updated on 02/06/97
Sr. Rebecca Abel brings computerorientation to NAC library duties Sister Rebecca Abel, O.S.B. is the College's new librarian. A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, now with the Benedictine Sisters in Ferdinand, Indiana, Sister Rebecca is no stranger to the workings of a library...or the North American College. Soon after entering religious life and teaching at the elementary school level, Sr. Rebecca earned a master's degree in library science from Ball State University. She worked in libraries of southern Indiana's public schools for the next 25 years, 16 as director of media services. One of Sr. Rebecca's main accomplishments was the establishment of computers and networks in every library under her direction. "The access computers give you is tremendous; the research opportunities are glorious," said Sr. Rebecca.
During summers, Sr. Rebecca took her expertise in library science to Catholic schools across America, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Mexico and Spain. In 1993 she was first asked to come to the North American College to begin work on its archives. What began as a six-month project spilled into the following summers as well. It came as no surprise, then, that when the College's librarian, Br. Randal Riede, announced his retirement, the College offered the position to Sr. Rebecca. While she never expected to leave her school system in Indiana, she saw the hand of God inviting her to Rome...and could do nothing else but follow where He was leading her. What are her plans now that she's here? "I'm still in the learning stage as far as the students' theological needs go," she says. "The library needs to be user friendly for the students and I hope to find the technological means to meet all of their needs." Though computerizing North American College's library is a formidable task, it would seem, as Sr. Rebecca's name implies, that she certainly is an "able" person for the job. Mr. Jeffery Loseke, '00 Archdioscese of Omaha Last Updated on 02/06/97
Opening Banquet becomes Dedication Banquet The normally tranquil North American College experienced massive dissension in the ranks...such as had never been seen within its hallowed walls. It all had to do with a simple name change...one that saw the traditional "Opening Banquet" transformed into the all new "Dedication Banquet." While the essentials of this Dedication were no different than in years past, the sublime reasoning behind the new name gave the event and the College an entirely different reason to celebrate. Instead of celebrating the "Opening" of the school year, (which officially began with Diaconate Oath signing in September), the Dedication Banquet gave us the opportunity to remember the dedication of the North American College's Janiculum campus, which took place in 1953. While the form may have indeed changed, the matter did not: the traditional speeches given by a first and fourth year man were this year delivered in eloquent fashion by Mr. Bill Rice (Diocese of Erie, '00) and Rev. Mr. Tom Powers (Diocese of Bridgeport, '97). Particularly poignant was Tom Powers' quote, "We are together in God's drama. It is He whom we must please, it is He who is watching." Ultimately, it was words such as these that gave all present the opportunity to once again "dedicate" themselves to Christ and to His Immaculate Mother as the campus had been dedicated 43 years before. Mr. Samuel Martin, '99 Diocese of LaCrosse Last Updated on 03/06/97
Our newest address is. . . www.liturgical.com/ pnac/index.htmll NAC is on the "NET". Log on to www.liturgical.com/pnac/ index.htmll and you will find us. The page/site isn't complete, but we're off to a nice start. The site and the construction were donated to the College by Liturgical Publications of St. Louis. Michael Gentry of Liturgical Publications, a friend of Msgr. Tim Dolan, rector, proposed the idea and the Board of Governors gave approval at its November meeting. At the moment, the visitor can read the College catalogue, which includes the history of NAC and what the various formation programs consist of. The display also includes the latest College Newsletter, complete with pictures. Plans call for a "Rector's Report," perhaps an essay or two by seminarians and some descriptive text about the Institute for Continuing Theological Education. A feature will be done on the Casa Santa Maria. We also want to provide an opportunity for those visiting the site to make donations to the College via credit card. We will also set up a system to keep a "tally" on the number of visitors to the site. One other idea is in the works, according the deacon Patrick Kennedy, development director. "Many parishes are developing web sites of their own, to be found at www.Catholic.org. We would like to identify parishes at which a NAC alumnus is assigned and link that parish bulletin with the NAC web page," he said. Kennedy sees a "natural marriage" in such a link up, since alumni of the College remain connected and loyal to it through their financial support and their frequent visits to the Janiculum and the Casa Santa Maria. Kennedy has a tip to help find the NAC site, should the above address prove difficult to reach. "Try just www.liturgical.com and select Catholic Community Forum. That brings up a site labeled 'seminaries.' You'll find us there," he adds. Last Updated on 03/06/97